The Minneapolis City Council has moved a step closer to introducing a citywide dress code ordinance for bars and other venues, after a council committee approved the measure. Council members say the ordinance is intended to tackle so-called "velvet rope discrimination", where venues use vague or inconsistently applied dress codes to turn away certain patrons, often along racial lines. The move reflects a wider push by city officials to regulate how nightlife venues can set and enforce entry requirements.

The ordinance passed a committee vote on a Tuesday before proceeding to the full council for further consideration. Limited further detail was available from the source material, though the debate echoes recent controversy over dress code enforcement at hospitality venues, such as Ruth's Chris Steak House, where a business casual policy sparked online debate. The Minneapolis proposal appears aimed at setting citywide standards to prevent dress codes being used as a pretext for discriminatory treatment.